Power of Attorney

Arranging Power of Attorney

Power of Attorney lets you arrange for someone you trust to manage your finances on your behalf. You may want to do this due to a change in your health or a change in your circumstances, such as moving abroad. You may not need someone to help you now, but you can set up a Power of Attorney for the future, just in case.

There are different types of Power of Attorney, and you may want to arrange more than one:

  • Ordinary Power of Attorney is typically used to cover a temporary period, such as a hospital stay or holiday. Ordinary Power of Attorney can only be used while you can make your own decisions.
  • Lasting Power of Attorney is typically used to give someone the legal authority over your finances if you lose your mental capacity. You can also plan for it to come into force at a future time.
  • Court of Protection is used when you lose your mental capacity and have no Power of Attorney in place. The Court of Protection can appoint someone to make decisions on your behalf. The UK government has provided some useful guidance on this process.

 

Here’s how you might use the different types of supported banking

Can be used if you: General Power of Attorney Lasting Power of Attorney Court of Protection
Just need help with the small things, like shopping or getting cash. No No No
Are physically ill, injured or disabled. Yes Yes No
Need a little help with looking after your day-to-day banking, for a shorter period of time, but you don't want someone to make decisions for you. No No No
You will be abroad and won't have access to your account (for example, travelling). Yes Yes No
Are preparing for when you'll be unable to make decisions or want someone to start looking after all of your finances. No Yes No
No longer have the mental capacity to make decisions, and someone needs to do this for you. No No Yes

To learn more, including how to set up PoA documents, take a look at the government's website.

  • If Power of Attorney is registered with the Office of Public Guardian
    Section 1, 3 (personal details for the account holder and also the attorneys), 5, 6, 7 & 9 of the Personal Representatives Renewal Mandate + ID and 1 letter is required for the Power of Attorney.

    A care home letter is not required.

  • If Power of Attorney is not registered with the Office of Public Guardian
    We will require the following from the account holder (person who is authorising the Power of Attorney):
    • Completed/signed POA mandate section 3, 5, 7 & 9
    • +1 signature verification
    • ID (List 1 & 2)
    • Address history (which should be included in section 3 of the mandate)
    All documentation should be sent to: Cater Allen, Santander House, 9 Nelson Street, Bradford, BD1 5AN.
    If you have any questions, you can call us on 0800 092 3300.

 

How we can help

Change an existing Power of Attorney registration

If you want us to, we can revoke, amend or update attorney details that have already been registered, please call us on 0800 092 3300.

Register a new Power of Attorney

To register a new Power of Attorney, please write to us at Cater Allen, Santander House, 9 Nelson Street, Bradford, BD1 5AN.

You will need to include the power of attorney or court of protection document (it will need to be either the original copy or a certified copy), as well as the documents listed below. The documents will be returned to you.